UK-US Relations Are Strained Over Disagreement on Iran—British Minister

(MENAFN) British Health Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged on Sunday that tensions between the UK and the US have been "strained" due to disagreements over Iran, particularly regarding remarks made by US President Donald Trump. Streeting criticized Trump's recent statements, calling them "outrageous" and "provocative," adding that the president's social media posts have been "incendiary" and difficult to interpret.

"Over the course of the last week, President Trump has said some pretty bold - in 'Yes Minister' language - incendiary, provocative, outrageous things on social media," Streeting told a news agency, referring to the British sitcom known for its political satire.

The health secretary expressed uncertainty over the clarity of Trump's statements, remarking that it's often unclear what the president means in his posts. "I think we've all come to learn that you judge President Trump through what he does, not just what he says," he added.

Streeting also defended the UK government's decision to remain uninvolved in the Iran conflict, reiterating that the war is "not a war of our choosing." He acknowledged that the UK’s position on Iran has strained relations with the Trump administration, but emphasized that the two countries still share many aligned interests.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also emphasized that the war with Iran is "not our war" and that the UK would not be drawn into the conflict, particularly after Trump suggested the possibility of pulling the US out of NATO due to a lack of support from its allies during the Iran conflict.

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